Nebraska bill focused on transgender athletes advances on senate floor

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – It’s an issue that has stirred up some controversy around the country. More than 20 states across the U.S. have enacted laws restricting transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity.

In Nebraska, a bill meant to put that idea into motion is continuing to be pushed forward in legislature. Tuesday marked progress for proponents after day one on the senate floor.

The controversial bill looks to keep transgender athletes out of women’s sports, and assign school bathrooms according to biological sex advanced in Nebraska legislature on Tuesday.

After four hours of debate, the “Stand with Women Act,” or LB-59 was introduced by State Sen. Kathleen Kouth on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen.

Kouth was the first to speak on Tuesday, as debate for the bill began.

“This is not a political issue,” Kouth said. “This is an issue about common sense, adherence to biology, and established protections for women and girls.”

Others said that the bill seeks to balance both safety and thoughtfulness and looks to protect than exclude. Some lawmakers even shared their personal testimonies from community members in their districts.

“Schools are meant to be a safe space for learning,” said State Sen. Jared Storm. “My daughter shouldn’t have to wonder if another student who is a male is using the same restroom as her.”

Opponents called the bill a “non-issue,” distracting lawmakers from real progress.

“We don’t get to legislate someone’s identity just because some people feel uneasy,” said Sen. Megan Hunt. “Feeling uneasy is not harm. That’s not danger. That’s not the same thing. That’s not protection, it’s oppression.”

“The idea that we need to protect people from this smaller group of people that maybe don’t have a voice are, I’m sure, are the same arguments that echoed through these halls when we were talking about segregation,” said Sen. George Dungan.

Thirty three votes were needed to move the bill into the next round of debate, that is exactly how many it received, inching it one step closer to the governor’s desk.

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